Dear Relatives,

It is through the mercies of Almighty God that I am permitted to make an attempt to let you know that we are alive and enjoying the best of health at the present time and I hope these bad written lines will find you all enjoying the same like blessings.

Our journey was long and perilous lasting over six months. I will tell you of some of our troubles, sufferings and misfortunes. Grass was scarce all the way. Our cattle began to give out and a great many died. My teams all died except three steers and one cow.  Jackson lost all but one steer. James Galbreath lost all his teams except four steers and one cow. We left two of our wagons and every other thing that we could possibly do without and went on in one wagon.

After leaving Green River we came to the worst mountains that a wagon ever traveled over. Before we left our wagons Craig and his wife had died. Craig died four days after his wife. It seemed that everything was against us.

By this time our provisions were nearly gone. I was taken sick with Mountain Fever and came very near dying.  We were over five weeks without bread. We had to kill our own cattle and eat them without bread or salt.

I will now tell you about the deaths in our group. Hufmaster and wife Minerva are both dead. James Harer and wife Mary Standefer and baby are dead. Craig's child also died. Uncle Enos is dead. John Harer and wife and youngest child is dead. James Crawford's baby is dead. The baby of David Harer and wife Sarah Standefer is dead.

Samuel Harer has been at the point of death but is on the mend.  I think they have not reached the Standefers yet! Nelson's little girl got shot by pulling or moving a gun as she got in the wagon.  Evan Harer's child is dead. Nancy a sight to look at. Jacob Rushe's widow and little girl are dead. There were a great many deaths in the Enan's Route Company too.

..................So no more at present but remain your affectionate grandson and granddaughter, till death.

Signed, William M. Tigard